A Gujarat-based NGO has urged the Indian government to bring nutraceuticals under the ambit of drug regulators, citing concerns over product quality and unregulated pricing.
The organisation 'Right to Life' has called for the implementation of recommendations made by a 2024 inter-ministerial committee, which suggested stricter regulation of nutraceuticals making disease risk reduction claims.
The NGO argued that the current regulatory framework has led to a 'serious dilution' of manufacturing standards and oversight, resulting in weaker regulatory scrutiny and increased risk of substandard or mislabelled products.
The representation also raised concerns over pricing, noting that nutraceuticals are currently outside the purview of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, enabling unchecked price escalation.
The NGO said such price increases disproportionately affect vulnerable sections, including elderly patients, those with chronic conditions and pregnant women who rely on supplements.
The organisation urged the government to restore CDSCO oversight for such products, mandate WHO-GMP compliance for manufacturers and reinstate NPPA price controls to prevent exploitative pricing.
